From Blank Page to Unforgettable Characters: Your Prompt Stack to Masterful Character Creation

Picture this, you’re staring at the screen, cursor blinking. You need a compelling character—someone who leaps off the page and haunts readers long after they finish your story. But here’s the problem: generic characters are forgettable. The hero who’s just “brave,” the villain who’s just “evil”—these cardboard cutouts won’t cut

Picture this, you’re staring at the screen, cursor blinking. You need a compelling character—someone who leaps off the page and haunts readers long after they finish your story.

But here’s the problem: generic characters are forgettable. The hero who’s just “brave,” the villain who’s just “evil”—these cardboard cutouts won’t cut it.

What if you had a proven system to craft layered, fascinating characters—complete with hidden fears, contradictions, and a voice so distinct it feels like they’re whispering in your ear?

Below, we’ll break down a powerful prompt stack used by professional writers to design unforgettable characters—step by step.

Step 1: Define Their Core Identity (Beyond Just a Name)

Your character isn’t just a collection of traits—they serve a purpose in your story.

Your Prompt:

"Act as a narrative psychologist. Help me design a character who serves as [role, e.g., ‘tragic hero,’ ‘unreliable narrator’] in my [genre] story set in [setting]. Generate:
Core Identity: Name, age, appearance (with 1 unique physical trait).

Role Function: How they advance the plot/theme (e.g., ‘represents the cost of vengeance’).

Contradiction: A surprising trait that breaks their ‘type’ (e.g., ‘a ruthless assassin who rescues stray cats’).
Output in a structured profile format."

Example Output:

  • Name: Elias Vex
  • Role: Fallen scholar seeking forbidden knowledge
  • Contradiction: Brutally logical, but terrified of thunderstorms

Your Action Step:

  • Give them one unexpected quirk—readers remember contradictions.

Step 2: Unlock Their Psychology (What Really Drives Them?)

A character without depth is just a puppet. To make them feel real, dig into their fears, lies, and wounds.

Your Prompt:

"Analyze the psychology of [Character Name] using:
Primary Motivation (conscious: ‘prove his innocence’).

Hidden Fear (unconscious: ‘being ordinary’).

Lie They Believe (‘I must be perfect to be loved’).

Core Wound (past trauma that shaped them).
Format as a ‘psych profile’ with examples of how these manifest in behavior."

Example Output:

  • Core Wound: Witnessed mother’s murder at age 7 → Manifests as: Obsessively locks doors, distrusts authority

Your Action Step:

  • Ask: “What’s the worst thing that ever happened to them?” Then, show how it affects them now.

Step 3: Craft Their Voice (So Readers Recognize Them Instantly)

Great characters don’t just speak—they sound like themselves.

Your Prompt:

"Define [Character Name]’s unique voice by:
Speech Patterns (e.g., short sentences, archaic phrases).

Go-to Phrases (signature saying like ‘Technically…’).

How Emotions Alter Speech (e.g., lies when nervous, quotes poetry when angry).
Generate 3 sample lines showing their voice in different emotional states."

    Example Output:

    • Calm: “The facts are irrelevant; only perception matters.”
    • Angry: “You want the truth? Here’s your damn truth—”

    Your Action Step:

    • Read dialogue aloud—if it sounds generic, tweak it.

    Step 4: Map Their Relationships (Where the Real Drama Lives)

    A character is defined by how they interact with others.

    Your Prompt:

    "Map [Character Name]’s relationships to 3 key characters using:
    Surface Dynamic (how they interact).
    
    Hidden Tension (unspoken conflict).
    
    Evolution (how the relationship changes by Act 3).
    Present as a relationship matrix with examples."

    Example Output:

    CharacterSurfaceHidden TensionEvolution
    ProtagonistMentorResents their potentialBetrays them to reclaim power

    Your Action Step:

    • Add a secret—what does one character never say to the other?

    Step 5: Design Their Arc (Or Risk a Flat Character)

    No one stays the same. Your character must transform—or fail spectacularly.

    Your Prompt:

    "Design a character arc for [Character Name] using:
    Starting State (flaw/lie they believe).
    
    Catalyst (event that forces change).
    
    Turning Point (moment of self-awareness).
    
    End State (how they’ve transformed).
    Frame it as a ‘before/after’ contrast with pivotal scenes."

    Example Output:

    • Before: “I don’t need anyone.” → After: “Help me.” (whispered during climax)

    Your Action Step:

    • Make their lowest point physical—readers remember actions, not thoughts.

    Step 6: Audit for Consistency (Don’t Break Believability)

    Even great characters can slip into contradictions.

    Your Prompt:

    "Audit [Character Name] for inconsistencies in:
    
    Motivations vs. Actions (e.g., ‘claims to hate violence but starts fights’).
    
    Backstory vs. Skills (e.g., ‘grew up poor but knows fine wines’).
    
    Growth vs. Regression (ensure arcs aren’t undermined).
    Flag issues and suggest fixes."

    Example Output:

    • Issue: Character is claustrophobic but infiltrates small spaces without mention.
    • Fix: Add a scene where they hyperventilate, then use it for growth later.

    Your Action Step:

    • Ask a beta reader: “Did any actions feel ‘off’ for this character?”

    Bonus: AI-Powered Character Interview (Reveal Hidden Depths)

    Want to really know your character? Let them tell you.

    Your Prompt:

    "Simulate an in-character interview with [Character Name]. Ask 5 probing questions (e.g., ‘What’s your greatest regret?’) and generate responses in their voice. Include 1 unexpected answer that reveals depth."


    Example Q&A:

    • Q: “Who have you failed?”
    • A: “My little sister. I swore I’d protect her. Now I wear her necklace so I never forget.”

    Your Action Step:

    • Steal from real life—what’s your deepest fear? Give it to them.

    Final Thought: Stop Overthinking, Start Writing

    The best characters surprise you. They evolve beyond your outline.

    So, pick one prompt, flesh out one character, and write their first scene today.

    Your readers—and your future self—will thank you. 🚀

    From Zero to Hero: The Prompt Stack to Turn Niche Research Into a Profitable Online Course (Step-by-Step Guide)

    You’ve got expertise. You’ve got passion. But here’s the problem—how do you turn that into a course people actually want to buy? Most course creators make one big mistake: they build first and validate later. The result? A dusty, unsold course sitting in a digital corner. But what if you

    You’ve got expertise. You’ve got passion. But here’s the problem—how do you turn that into a course people actually want to buy?

    Most course creators make one big mistake: they build first and validate later. The result? A dusty, unsold course sitting in a digital corner.

    But what if you could reverse-engineer success? By tapping into real audience frustrations, analyzing competitors, and launching a Minimum Viable Course (MVC) before overbuilding, you can create something people beg to buy.

    Here’s your step-by-step prompt stack to go from niche research to profitable course—without the guesswork.


    Step 1: Find Your Audience’s Pain Points (The Goldmine Strategy)

    Before you record a single lesson, you need to know exactly what your audience struggles with. No assumptions—just cold, hard data.

    Your Prompt:
    “Analyze forums, subreddits, and Facebook groups in [your niche, e.g., ‘personal branding,’ ‘AI for freelancers’]. Identify:

    • The top 3 recurring struggles/questions beginners/intermediates face.
    • Phrases like ‘How do I…’, ‘Why is this so hard?’, or ‘I wish I knew…’.
    • Gaps in existing free/paid resources (e.g., ‘Most courses skip X’).
      Summarize findings in a table with ‘Pain Point,’ ‘Frequency,’ and ‘Course Opportunity.’”*

    Example Output:

    Pain PointFrequencyCourse Opportunity
    “How to price freelance services”50+ mentions“Pricing Mastery for Freelancers”
    “Getting first clients on Upwork”30+ mentions“Upwork Domination: Zero to $10k”

    Your Action Steps:

    • Search Reddit, Quora, Facebook Groups for niche-related struggles.
    • Look for patterns—if 10+ people ask the same thing, it’s a course topic.

    Step 2: Spy on Competitor Courses (And Steal Their Weak Spots)

    Why reinvent the wheel? Instead, study what’s already selling—then make it better.

    Your Prompt:
    “Scrape the top 5 courses on [platform: Udemy, Kajabi, etc.] in [niche]. For each, list:

    • Title, price, and enrollment numbers (if available).
    • What the course covers (modules/topics).
    • Negative reviews (complaints like ‘too basic,’ ‘outdated,’ ‘missing X’).
      Highlight gaps your course could fill.”*

    Example Output:
    “Competitor Course: ‘Social Media Marketing 101’ (4.2/5 stars). Complaints: ‘No TikTok strategies,’ ‘too much theory.’ Opportunity: ‘Advanced Short-Form Video Lab.’”*

    Your Action Steps:

    • Browse bestsellers on Udemy, Teachable, or Kajabi.
    • Read 1- and 2-star reviews—these reveal what’s missing.

    Step 3: Validate Demand (Before You Waste Time Building)

    Don’t gamble on a course nobody wants. Test demand first.

    Your Prompt:
    “Draft a 3-question survey to validate course demand. Focus on:

    1. Biggest struggle in [niche].
    2. Preferred format (video, worksheets, live Q&A).
    3. Budget (‘Would you pay $X for a course solving this?’).
      Keep it concise. Provide 2 versions: casual (Instagram Stories) and formal (email).”*

    Example Survey:

    1. “What’s your #1 challenge with [topic]?”
    2. “Would you prefer a self-paced course or weekly live lessons?”
    3. “What’s the max you’d pay for a course that fixes this?” [$$$ options]

    Your Action Steps:

    • Run a quick poll on Instagram/LinkedIn.
    • Email your list (if you have one).
    • If 30%+ say they’d buy, you’ve got a winner.

    Step 4: Craft a Killer Course Outline (That Sells Itself)

    Now, structure your course around proven pain points—not just what you think is important.

    Your Prompt:
    “Based on the research, design a course outline that:

    • Solves the top 3 pain points.
    • Includes a unique angle (e.g., ‘AI for Non-Techies,’ ‘Zero Fluff’ style).
    • Has tiered pricing (e.g., Basic + VIP coaching).
      Output: Course title, 5 module titles, and key outcomes per module.”*

    Example Output:

    • Title: “YouTube Growth Engine: Get 1k Subs in 30 Days”
    • Module 1: “Scripting Viral Hooks” → Outcome: Write 5 high-retention intros.
    • Module 2: “The Algorithm Hack” → Outcome: Double impressions.

    Your Action Steps:

    • Start with the biggest frustration (from Step 1).
    • Promise a clear transformation (e.g., “Go from 0 to paying clients”).

    Step 5: Launch a Minimum Viable Course (MVC) First

    Don’t build a 50-lesson monster. Start small, validate, then expand.

    Your Prompt:
    “Break down the fastest way to launch an MVC (3–5 core lessons) to test demand. Include:

    • Core content (e.g., 3 videos + PDF checklist).
    • Delivery method (Teachable, Maven, private podcast).
    • Pre-sell strategy (e.g., ‘Pay $50 now, get full course later’).”*

    Example MVC Plan:

    • Lead Magnet: Free “5-Day Challenge” email course.
    • Upsell: $97 MVC with live office hours.
    • Post-Launch: Survey for feedback → expand to full course.

    Your Action Steps:

    • Record just 3-5 lessons (enough to solve one big problem).
    • Sell it before it’s done (pre-launch discounts work).

    Step 6: Write a Sales Page That Converts (Without the Cringe)

    Your sales page shouldn’t sound like a used-car ad. Speak directly to their struggles.

    Your Prompt:
    “Write a course sales page headline and bullet points that:

    • Start with the biggest frustration (e.g., ‘Tired of inconsistent clients?’).
    • Promise transformation (e.g., ‘Land 3 high-ticket clients in 60 days’).
    • Include social proof (use survey quotes like ‘87% said they’d buy this’).
      Add a FAQ section addressing objections (e.g., ‘What if I’m a beginner?’).”*

    Example Headline:
    “From Overworked to Overbooked: The Freelancer’s Guide to Raising Rates Without Losing Clients”

    Your Action Steps:

    • Lead with pain → “Struggling with X?”
    • Follow with the dream → “Imagine achieving Y instead.”
    • Add urgency → “Enrollment closes Friday.”

    Final Thought: Stop Overthinking, Start Selling

    The biggest mistake isn’t making a bad course—it’s making no course at all.

    You don’t need perfection. You need a simple, validated course that solves one painful problem.

    So, pick a niche, run these prompts, and launch your MVC this month.

    Your future students (and bank account) will thank you. 🚀

    Reddit is a Goldmine – Prompt Stack to Find Profitable Business Ideas on Reddit

    You’re scrolling through Reddit, laughing at memes or falling into rabbit-hole discussions, when it hits you—this place is a goldmine for business ideas. But here’s the thing: most people don’t realize how powerful Reddit is for market research. While others are guessing what customers want, you can literally read their

    You’re scrolling through Reddit, laughing at memes or falling into rabbit-hole discussions, when it hits you—this place is a goldmine for business ideas.

    But here’s the thing: most people don’t realize how powerful Reddit is for market research. While others are guessing what customers want, you can literally read their unfiltered frustrations, wishes, and unmet needs in real time.

    The best part? You don’t need fancy tools—just the right prompts to extract profitable insights. Below, we’ll break down a step-by-step prompt stack to turn Reddit threads into your next business idea.


    1. Identify High-Traffic Subreddits for Market Research

    Before diving into solutions, you need to find where your ideal customers hang out. Not all subreddits are equal—some are packed with engagement, while others are ghost towns.

    Your Prompt:
    “Analyze the most active subreddits where people discuss problems, frustrations, or unmet needs related to [your niche, e.g., ‘side hustles,’ ‘digital nomads,’ ‘small business’]. Prioritize subreddits with high engagement (comments, upvotes) and recent activity. Summarize key themes and pain points mentioned in these communities.”

    Example Output:

    • Subreddit: r/Entrepreneur
    • Common Pain Points: “Finding time-efficient marketing strategies,” “scaling on a budget”
    • Recent High-Engagement Threads: [List 3–5 threads with links]

    Your Action Step:

    • Search for niche-related subreddits using tools like Subreddit Stats.
    • Sort by “Active” or “Growing” to find engaged communities.

    2. Extract Recurring Problems & Frustrations

    Now that you’ve found the right subreddits, it’s time to dig into the real gold—repeated complaints and “I wish” statements.

    Your Prompt:
    “Scrape the top 10 posts from [Subreddit Name] from the past 3 months. Identify:

    • The most frequently mentioned problems or complaints.
    • Phrases like ‘I wish there was…’ or ‘Why doesn’t X exist?’
    • Gaps in existing solutions (e.g., ‘All tools for X are too expensive/complicated’).
      Present findings in a table with problem, frequency, and potential opportunity.”*

    Example Output:

    ProblemFrequencyOpportunity
    “No affordable SEO tool for solopreneurs”25+ mentionsLow-cost, simplified SEO SaaS
    “Hard to find vetted freelancers”18+ mentionsCurated freelance marketplace

    Your Action Step:

    • Use Reddit’s search bar with keywords like “frustrating,” “annoying,” “problem with.”
    • Look for threads with high engagement—these signal urgent pain points.

    3. Validate Demand Using Reddit’s Search & Comments

    Just because people complain doesn’t mean they’ll pay. So, how do you confirm real demand?

    Your Prompt:
    “Search r/[Subreddit] for keywords like ‘best tool for…’, ‘recommend a…’, or ‘alternatives to…’. Extract:

    • Products/services people are actively seeking.
    • Complaints about current solutions (e.g., ‘Tool Y is great but lacks Z feature’).
    • Willingness to pay (e.g., ‘I’d pay $X for this’).
      Summarize the most promising opportunities with evidence from threads.”*

    Example Output:
    “Users in r/SaaS frequently request a ‘Stripe-like API for emerging markets’ (32+ comments).”*

    Your Action Step:

    • Search for “best [solution] for [problem]”—these threads reveal buying intent.
    • Note if users mention budgets (e.g., *”I’d pay $50/month for this”*).

    4. Brainstorm Monetizable Solutions

    Now, turn those pain points into real business ideas.

    Your Prompt:
    “Based on the pain points from Reddit, generate 5 business ideas that:

    • Solve a recurring problem.
    • Have clear monetization (subscription, one-time fee, upsells).
    • Are feasible for a solopreneur (low upfront cost, quick MVP).
      For each idea, include: Idea Name, Target Audience, MVP Version, Revenue Model.”*

    Example Output:

    • Idea: No-Code SEO Sidekick
    • Audience: Solopreneurs who hate technical SEO.
    • MVP: Google Sheets + GPT-4 automation for keyword tracking.
    • Revenue: $20/month subscription.

    Your Action Step:

    • Pick the top 3 problems with the most demand.
    • Brainstorm the simplest solution you can build fast.

    5. Competitive Analysis Using Reddit Feedback

    Before building, check what people hate about existing solutions.

    Your Prompt:
    “Analyze Reddit threads criticizing competitors in [niche]. List:

    • Top 3 complaints about existing solutions.
    • Features users beg for but aren’t getting.
    • Under-served customer segments (e.g., ‘All tools target enterprises, not indie hackers’).
      Suggest how a new entrant could differentiate.”*

    Example Output:
    “Users complain that Canva lacks advanced typography controls for designers. Opportunity: A Figma-lite tool for non-designers.”

    Your Action Step:

    • Search “[Competitor Name] sucks” or “[Tool] alternatives” for unfiltered feedback.

    6. Rapid Validation Test (Post Your Own Thread)

    Instead of guessing, ask your market directly.

    Your Prompt:
    “Draft a Reddit post to validate demand for [Your Idea]. Structure it as:

    • Problem statement (e.g., ‘Do others struggle with X?’).
    • Hypothetical solution (e.g., ‘Would a tool that does Y help?’).
    • Call-to-action (e.g., ‘Upvote if you’d use this; comment your wishlist features’).
      Keep it neutral to avoid bias. Provide 3 versions for A/B testing.”*

    Example Post:
    “Freelancers: How do you currently track unpaid invoices? Would a free, automated tracker help? Upvote if you’d try it!”

    Your Action Step:

    • Post in relevant subreddits (but follow their rules—no spam!).
    • Measure engagement (upvotes, comments, DMs).

    Final Thought: Stop Guessing, Start Building

    Reddit is one of the few places where people openly share their struggles. Your next business idea is hiding in plain sight—you just need to ask the right questions.

    So, pick a niche, run these prompts, and let Reddit tell you what to build.

    Now go dig for gold. 🚀